§ 56. Mr. JOHNSTONasked the Minister of Labour whether he can give the number of male and female workers over the age of 65 engaged in industry at the time of the last Census; and if he can give any estimate of the number in these age groups still remaining in industry?
§ Sir K. WOODI have been asked to reply. The ages of males and females engaged in the several industries at the last Census are shown in Table 3 of the Industry Tables (Census of England and Wales, 1921). The numbers over 65 years of age are as follow:
1953 No data are available for estimating the number of these persons still engaged in industry.
Males … … … 571,960 Females … … … 132,778
§ 57. Mr. JOHNSTONasked the Minister of Labour whether he can give any estimate of the number of workers of 65 years of age and over who have withdrawn from their employment as a result of the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act.
§ Sir K. WOODI have been asked to reply. No effect on the employment of persons of pensionable age can reasonably be expected from the operation of the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act before 2nd January, 1928, as old age pensions to insured persons between the ages of 65 and 70 are not payable before that date.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIs it not obvious that if proper and adequate pensions were given to the seven or eight hundred thousand workers of 65 or over the back of the unemployment problem would be broken?
§ Sir K. WOODThat is a matter for discussion.